Alaska H2O from Dennis Zaki on Vimeo.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
i can't resist
World Beard and Moustache Championship Parade in Anchorage, Alaska from Dennis Zaki on Vimeo.
Nation’s First ‘Underwater Wind Turbine’ Installed in Old Man River
- By Alexis Madrigal
- December 22, 2008 |
- 5:08 pm |
- Categories: Energy, Environment
The nation’s first commercial hydrokinetic turbine, which harnesses the power from moving water without the construction of a dam, has splashed into the waters of the Mississippi River near Hastings, Minnesota.
The 35-kilowatt turbine is positioned downstream from an existing hydroelectric-plant dam and — together with another turbine to be installed soon — will increase the capacity of the plant by more than 5 percent. The numbers aren’t big, but the rig’s installation could be the start of an important trend in green energy.
And that could mean more of these "wind turbines for the water" will be generating clean energy soon.
"We don’t require that massive dam construction, we’re just using the natural flow of the stream," said Mark Stover, a vice president at Hydro Green Energy, the Houston-based company leading the project. "It’s underwater windpower if you will, but we have 840 or 850 times the energy density of wind."
Hydrokinetic turbines like those produced by Hydro Green and Verdant capture the mechanical energy of the water’s flow and turn it into energy, without need for a dam. The problem for companies like Hydro Green is that their relatively low-impact turbines are forced into the same regulatory bucket as huge hydroelectric dams. The regulatory hurdles have made it difficult to actually get water flowing through projects.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has oversight of all projects that involve making power from water, and the agency has recently shown
signs of easing up on this new industry. In the meantime, the first places where hydrokinetic power makes in impact could be at existing dam sites where the regulatory red tape has already been cut.
“I am thrilled to support today’s historic order that allows for harnessing more power from the Mississippi River,” FERC Commissioner
Philip Moeller said in a release. “I hope this is the first of thousands of similar projects that produce clean and renewable power from in-stream flows at existing dams.”
Moeller’s enthusiasm could encourage other companies that are trying similar strategies to tap tidal or current power.
Verdant has been testing its own turbine design to capture tidal flow in New York’s East River, but it hasn’t been easy.
"Verdant has spent more money on permitting their East River project that than they did on hardware," said Roger Bedard, a researcher at the
Electric Power Research Institute, who has studied water-current–based energy generation.
Hydro Green’s Stover hopes that his company’s new unit will help shorten that regulatory process by generating environmental impact data that could ease concerns the turbines will disrupt river ecosystems and habitats.
And in the meantime, investors will continue to scour the planet for companies and technologies that could benefit from Barack Obama’s plans to create green jobs. Congress already passed a bill this year to extend tax incentives for hydrokinetic projects through 2016.
"After the wind and solar craze, people said, ‘What else is out there?’" Stover said. "The investment community is quite interested."
Image: Mark Stover/Hydro Green Energy, LLC
Read More http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/12/hydrokinetic/#ixzz0hv25m2qa
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/12/hydrokinetic/
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
How big is a cruise ship?
How Big is a Cruise Ship?
With emphasis on luxury and Cruise Shipcomfort, the sizes of cruise ships have gotten bigger through the years. Below are the largest cruise ships active in the world today.
Dimensions of the Oasis of the Seas
The Oasis of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship at 360 m (1,181 ft). The tonnage is 225,282 GT (gross tonnage). The beam measures 47 m (154 ft) and the height is 72 m (236 ft). The draught of the Oasis of the Seas has been measured at 9.3 m (31 ft). The depth is 22.55 m (74 ft).
The ship has 16 passenger decks and has a capacity of 5,400. The crew numbers 2,165. The size of cruise ship Oasis of the Seas allows it to move at 22.6 knots (26 mph; 41.9 km/h).
The power is derived from three Wärtsilä 12V46D engines (13,860 kW/18,590 hp each). Three more Wärtsilä 16V46D engines are installed. Each one produces 18,480 kW/24,780 hp. There are whirlpools, a coffee ship, a winery and duty free shops. There is also a golf course, TV and Internet access.
The ship is operated by the Royal Caribbean International and built at the cost of US$1.4 billion. It was launched on October 28, 2009. Its maiden voyage is scheduled sometime on December 2009.
Dimensions of the Freedom of the Seas
The Freedom of the Seas is 1,119 ft (338.9 m) long. The tonnage is 154,407 GT and the beam is 126.64 ft (38 m). The size of cruise ship Freedom of the Seas gives it a waterline of 184 ft (56.08 m).
The height is 209 ft (63.7 m); that’s about 15 decks. The draught is 28 ft (8.53 m). The 15 decks are the passengers; there are three more making a total of 18.
The passenger capacity of the Freedom of the Seas is 4,370 while the crew is 1,360. The speed is 21.6 knots (40 km/h or 25 mph). The power is derived from six Wärtsilä 46 V12 engines (diesel, 12.6 MW, 17,000 hp).
These drive generators at 514 rpm. The propulsion is provided by 3 ABB Azipod podded electric propulsion units. The ship cost $800 million to build.
Dimensions of the Liberty of the Seas
The size of cruise ship Liberty of the Seas is as follows: the length is 1,119 ft (338.9 m). The beam reaches 126.64 ft (38 m), and the draught is 28 ft (8.53 m). There are 18 decks. The speed of the Liberty of the Seas is 21 knots (25 mph; 40 km/h). The crew number 1,300 and the passenger capacity is 4,370.
The ship is owned by the Royal Caribbean International. It cost $800 million to build. Its first voyage was on May 18, 2007. This cruise ship is still active. Like the other cruise ships, the Liberty features first class rooms, sports centers and other facilities and accommodations.
The massive sizes of cruise ships make them a sight to behold. But as most people will tell you, their amenities are just as impressive.
With emphasis on luxury and Cruise Shipcomfort, the sizes of cruise ships have gotten bigger through the years. Below are the largest cruise ships active in the world today.
Dimensions of the Oasis of the Seas
The Oasis of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship at 360 m (1,181 ft). The tonnage is 225,282 GT (gross tonnage). The beam measures 47 m (154 ft) and the height is 72 m (236 ft). The draught of the Oasis of the Seas has been measured at 9.3 m (31 ft). The depth is 22.55 m (74 ft).
The ship has 16 passenger decks and has a capacity of 5,400. The crew numbers 2,165. The size of cruise ship Oasis of the Seas allows it to move at 22.6 knots (26 mph; 41.9 km/h).
The power is derived from three Wärtsilä 12V46D engines (13,860 kW/18,590 hp each). Three more Wärtsilä 16V46D engines are installed. Each one produces 18,480 kW/24,780 hp. There are whirlpools, a coffee ship, a winery and duty free shops. There is also a golf course, TV and Internet access.
The ship is operated by the Royal Caribbean International and built at the cost of US$1.4 billion. It was launched on October 28, 2009. Its maiden voyage is scheduled sometime on December 2009.
Dimensions of the Freedom of the Seas
The Freedom of the Seas is 1,119 ft (338.9 m) long. The tonnage is 154,407 GT and the beam is 126.64 ft (38 m). The size of cruise ship Freedom of the Seas gives it a waterline of 184 ft (56.08 m).
The height is 209 ft (63.7 m); that’s about 15 decks. The draught is 28 ft (8.53 m). The 15 decks are the passengers; there are three more making a total of 18.
The passenger capacity of the Freedom of the Seas is 4,370 while the crew is 1,360. The speed is 21.6 knots (40 km/h or 25 mph). The power is derived from six Wärtsilä 46 V12 engines (diesel, 12.6 MW, 17,000 hp).
These drive generators at 514 rpm. The propulsion is provided by 3 ABB Azipod podded electric propulsion units. The ship cost $800 million to build.
Dimensions of the Liberty of the Seas
The size of cruise ship Liberty of the Seas is as follows: the length is 1,119 ft (338.9 m). The beam reaches 126.64 ft (38 m), and the draught is 28 ft (8.53 m). There are 18 decks. The speed of the Liberty of the Seas is 21 knots (25 mph; 40 km/h). The crew number 1,300 and the passenger capacity is 4,370.
The ship is owned by the Royal Caribbean International. It cost $800 million to build. Its first voyage was on May 18, 2007. This cruise ship is still active. Like the other cruise ships, the Liberty features first class rooms, sports centers and other facilities and accommodations.
The massive sizes of cruise ships make them a sight to behold. But as most people will tell you, their amenities are just as impressive.
Iditarod Drama!
Crash ends Iditarod dream for ailing rookie
Published: March 9th, 2010 10:36 PM
Last Modified: March 10th, 2010 05:11 AM
More 2010 Iditarod 38 stories »
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Ulcerative colitis, a disease that targets the intestines and kidneys, was diagnosed nine years ago, but that couldn't stop rookie Chicago musher Pat Moon from chasing his dream to run the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Nor could non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diagnosed 13 months ago.
But shortly after noon on Tuesday, a tree in the notoriously steep and twisty Dalzell Gorge knocked Moon unconscious -- and out of the race that had become the passion of his life.
Moon was about a third of the way down the gorge, according to race marshal Mark Nordman, when the collision took place.
"When I talked to Pat," Nordman said, "he said it was in an area where he was surprised it happened. It was just like, 'Wham!' He doesn't remember hitting a tree per se."
The collision knocked Moon out. Moments later, young Belgian musher Sam Deltour, who finished 11th in last month's Yukon Quest, came upon the wreck.
He first made sure Moon was still breathing and then checked the Chicago musher's dogs. By the time Deltour got back to Moon, the musher had regained consciousness.
"He skinned his face up a bit" but otherwise wasn't hurt beyond the knock to his head, Nordman said
An Iditarod race judge helped Moon, 33, to the Rohn checkpoint. From there, he was flown out to Lake Hood and taken to Providence Alaska Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition Tuesday night.
His 15 dogs were not injured and were also flown out.
Eventually, Deltour continued racing. He reached the Rohn checkpoint at 3:24 p.m.The Dalzell Gorge comes after mushers have reached the highest point on the trail, 3,160-foot Rainy Pass, and are descending toward Rohn.
In two miles, the trail drops hundreds of feet as it zips back and forth across Dalzell Creek on narrow ice and snow bridges that span open but shallow running water.
Four years ago, Moon was an Idit-A-Rider, riding through Anchorage with another musher on the race's ceremonial start, and the 11-mile trip in a sled basket to Anchorage's Far North Bicentennial Park convinced the Chicago man he had to run this race, a decision he quickly announced to his wife Melanie.
Before long, Moon was training with Iditarod veteran Ed Stielstra of McMillian, Mich. Just getting there was an eight-hour drive from Chicago.
"I have to change the way I look at not only what I am doing, but how I do it while still remembering why I am doing it," he said in a story posted on the race's Web site.
"Most importantly, I have to remember that I elected to do this. This was my choice, and therefore, no matter what the situation, I need to smile and stay upbeat. The dogs always are, so why shouldn't I be?"
That attitude may be tested in the days ahead.
The injury will prevent Moon from visiting the villages along the Iditarod Trail, something he was anticipating.
In that same story on the Iditarod's Web site, Moon, in an almost-spooky harbinger, said: "When (veteran mushers) see a particular tree, to them it may indicate 'Lean to the left in 50 feet.' To me, I am most likely just going to think, 'What a neat tree!' "
Moon still hopes to encourage others with health challenges to chase their dreams.
"I'm hoping that one ill child out there thinks that if I can run the Iditarod, then maybe they can play dodge ball in gym class," he told the Iditarod.
Four other mushers ended their bid to finish the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Monday.
• Michael Suprenant, 45, of Chugiak, scratched for medical reasons in Rainy Pass with all 16 of his dogs still in harness, according to an Iditarod press release. Suprenant finished 49th last year.
• Zoya DeNure, who was nursing her 7-month-old daughter Jona until the race began, developed an infection of the tissue called mastitis that spread to her left arm, according to husband John Schandelmeier, and needed antibiotics.
DeNure, 33, of Paxson, had 15 dogs still in her team when she scratched. She and Schandelmeier operate a rescue kennel for unwanted sled dogs. DeNure was 53rd as a rookie musher in 2008.
• Karin Hendrickson, 39, of Chugiak, scratched in Rainy Pass when one of her sled runners broke, according to husband and fellow musher Varan Hoyt. All 16 of the dogs that started the race with Hendrickson, who finished 40th in her rookie race last year, were still in her team.
• Kirk Barnum, 41, of Seeley Lake, Mont., was down to 12 dogs when he scratched at Rainy Pass. Barnum, 41, who finished 67th as a rookie two years ago, said that his dogs were tired and scratched to protect them.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Active in Anchorage
See all of Anchorage in a 50k, 40k, or 25k route across town. Billed as a premier ski marathon, The Tour is part of the American Ski Marathon Series, North America's longest running and largest citizen's racing and touring series. Welcome to ALL that have come from around the US and World!
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